You may automatically assume that when you pack up 95% of your belongings, put it all in storage, and move to God’s country in a camper that you automatically find peace. You assume you’ll wake up in the mornings, step out into the fresh air and breathe deep while holding a hot cup of coffee and still have your hair up in a messy bun. You assume that the kids haven’t stirred from their beds and that for just a few moments you can just enjoy the sun on your face and a whisper to your soul from the One that created it all. That’s what you imagine right? Okay, so, maybe that’s not what you imagine. Maybe I’m just a dreamer at heart and have a vision of how I WANT my mornings to start. Maybe, you’re more realistic than I am and you knew right from the start that our mornings would not be wrapped in such quite ambience. Nope. I did not imagine correctly how these mornings this last week would feel, smell, sound, or look. My senses have given me quite a realistic awakening to camper life when life must go on. I cannot recall one morning this past week that I didn’t wake up in a rush or feeling like I had 101 things to do before noon. Obviously, I’m exaggerating slightly. I tried to make the best out of an unfortunate situation more than once, starting with Monday. Instead of getting errands quickly done to get back home we ended up being FORCED to slow down. Forced I tell you! While waiting 5 hours for a new tire we made our way to downtown Chattanooga for lunch and made a stop at the public library (see above pictures). When we finally left we stopped for a very brief visit with the cousins and came back home. I feel like progress was slow this week even though it wasn’t. James worked Wednesday, with help, moving load after load of brush. We ended up purchasing a second generator to save our sanity but of 2 things I’ll be most thankful of soon, temporary power and a septic system. Any day now. I pray. One, I want to walk out side and hear nature, not generators. Second, I don’t want to keep getting the whiff of a black tank on a camper. We think air is getting in/out somewhere because sometimes it’s just gross. If you don’t know what a black tank is just imagine a septic tank that rides under the carriage. Yuck. I’m thankful for our very nice bathroom but ready to not have to be reminded we actually use it. Wednesday was exciting. I drove up to Maryville, TN to discuss my Bible study, Fresh Start, with the Beautifully Designed ministry leader. We will be doing my study this September and I couldn’t be more honored. It’s such a privilege to be asked to lead the study. It was also nice getting to have some adult conversation and don’t think I didn’t blast my worship music 3 hours one way and 3 hours back. Also, this Momma got her eyebrows done while she was kidless before coming home. Hallelujah. Selfcare while living in the woods pretty much feels nonexistent. I arrived home a little too late for church and I was all dressed up so James and I took the littles out. It wasn’t their first time at a Habachi restaurant but they didn’t know it. This place was around when I was in college 20 years ago and I never went. What we found was REALLY good food and the couple that own it were the sweetest. It was like being served by my grandparents....If I’d grandparents from China that is. It may look like the highlight reel because...well, it is. I won’t bother taking picture to remember the arguments and fights and drama surrounding lost keys this week. I won’t take picture of the band and the ugly because quite frankly just experiencing them is all I can take and having them documented is absurd. So, instead I want to share what I want to remember. Like when Evan said... ”I think I found my bicep!” He has been working hard helping me. He also got a new bike for his birthday which is coming up. We’ve had lots of bumps and scraps and bruises this week. To the point the kids are just making themselves at home with the first aid kid. It’s all fun and games until sister puts on all the band-aids. My greatest revelation came on Friday when once again, I woke up to kid drama. I’m pretty sure I could write the next series of Llama Llama books with all the “llama drama” my kids have created. I’ve honestly looked forward to the Sunday night laundromat time. It’s been good for my brain and heart to zone out for a bit. This is Labor Day weekend and we are planning on using Monday for mostly work and then some play at a reunion for my family. We need some playtime but I sure do need to see progress tomorrow too. In the meantime, we are settling. I am doing all I know to do and that is organize and put things away. I’ve found and created space for keeping everything tidy and I’m sure it’s an ongoing project. I’ll post before and after picture as progress is made inside the camper as well as outside. What I’m literally dreaming about is watching a house rise up off the ground. Literally dreaming. Check back next week and in the meantime. Pray for us! Be blessed.
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About Us: Our adventure as a family of 7, building our dream home debt free in the wilderness of Georgia.
I'm Aimee, former Early Childhood Educator and Reading Specialist turned author, speaker, blogger, and mom of 5. This website is meant to inspire & equip parents of little ones to promote early literacy & language development at home. You will also find fun crafts, devotionals, and recipes to explore..
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March 2020
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*Photos are reflective of a handmade or hand stamped design; including naturally occurring materials. It is not intended to represent the exact product you will receive. Variation in shape, color, size should be expected. Each pearl & stone is unique; each piece is unique.